Lawsuit Claims Derma E ‘Natural’ Skincare Products Made with Synthetic Ingredients

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A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed against the maker of various Derma E skin care products the plaintiff alleges the company falsely claims are “natural” when, in reality, they contain a slew of synthetic ingredients. According to the complaint, Stearn’s Products, Inc. assures consumers that its products are made with “the most potent natural antioxidants and targeted vitamin solutions” while leaving out “harmful chemicals.”

“Consistent with Defendant’s self-promotion as a leader in natural personal care products, the front packaging of each one of the Products clearly states that it is ‘Natural,’” the complaint alleges.

Contrary to the defendant’s representations and the labels’ claims, the products contain various synthetic ingredients that reasonable consumers wouldn’t expect to find in “natural” products, the suit argues, including:

• Cetyl Alcohol;
• Glyceryl Stearate;
• Tocopheryl Acetate;
• Polysorbate 20;
• Xanthan Gum;
• Dimethicone;
• Phenoxyethanol;
• Ethylexylglycerin;
• Potassium Sorbate;
• Zinc Oxide;
• Titanium Dioxide;
• Glyceryl Stearate Citrate;
• Glyceryl Stearate;
• Stearyl Alcohol;
• Cetearyl Alcohol;
• Decyl Glucoside;
• Coco-Glucoside;
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine;
• Sodium Benzoate;
• Citric Acid; and
• Glycolic Acid.

The suit adds that some of the above chemicals have been shown to cause damage to DNA and chromosomes; may trigger the development of cancer; “have been linked to illness and death in infants”; are used for disinfecting purposes; or can be found in pesticides.

Although the above chemicals are included in the products’ ingredients lists, the case continues, a reasonable consumer shouldn’t be expected to know that they are synthetic and would more likely rely on the more prominent front label claims when making purchasing decisions.

The suit alleges that as a result, consumers like the plaintiff were deceived into paying a premium price for skin care products that failed to live up to their “natural” claims.

The complaint names the following possibly affected products:

• Natural Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Body;
• Natural Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF Oil Face Free;
• Itch Relief Lotion;
• Vitamin E Intense Therapy Hand Crème;
• Stretch Mark Crème;
• Vitamin E Intense Therapy Body Lotion Lavender-Neroli;
• Psorzema® Body Wash;
• Psorzema® Crème;
• Intense Therapy Foot Crème;
• Vitamin E 12,000 IV Crème;
• Vitamin E Intense Therapy Body Lotion Fragrance-Free;
• Soothing Cleanser with Pycnogenol®;
• Soothing Eye Gel with Pycnogenol®;
• Soothing Moisturizing Crème;
• Soothing Oil-Free Moisturizer;
• Derma E Baby Natural Mineral Sunscreen;
• Very Clear Moisturizer;
• CoQ10 Super Repair Crème;
• Skinbiotics Treatment Crème;
• Tea Tree and E Face and Body Wash;
• CoQ10 Super Repair Eye Crème;
• Very clear acne spot treatment;
• Make Up Remover;
• Firming DMAE Cleanser;
• Very Clear Acne Scrub;
• Vitamin E Intense Therapy Body Lotion Fragrance Free;
• Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Palmitate Crème;
• Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Cleanser;
• Tea Tree and Antiseptic Crème;
• Hydrating Eye Crème;
• Microdermabrasion Scrub with Sea Salt;
• Purifying Gel Cleanser;
• Soothing Toner;
• Deep Wrinkle Peptide Eye Crème;
• Clear Vein Crème;
• Overnight Peel;
• Hydrating Night Crème